Ladder



F. J. BRYANT.

LADDER.

APPLICATION HLE-D JULY 5. I9l8. 1,406,972. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETSr-SHEET I.

F. 1, BRYANT.

LADDER. APPLICATIOP FILED JULY 5, 1918.

Patented Feb, 21, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PA E T CE-ev FREDERIC J. BRYANT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LADDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIG J. BRYANT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders, of which the fol.- lowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in ladders and particularly to improvements in ladders of the flexible type, i. e1, ladders in which the rungs. are supported by chains or the like so that the ladder may, if desired, be rolled into compact form for storage and readily unrolled for use; and an object of this invention is to provide a ladder in which the rungs will be large enough iii-diameter to afford to the user a good hand-grasp or handheld and, at the same time, to provide a ladder which will combine lightness with strength. ()ther features and objects of this invention may be enumerated as follows: (1) The provisionof safe and durable means bywhich the rung may be secured to the suspensory members; (2) The provision of a wooden run and means by which the same is kept from cracking and splitting at the point where it engages the suspensory member; (3) The provision of means whereby the rung is strengthened againstvthe load stress at the point where it engages the suspensory member; (4) The provision of means by which the rung is safeguarded against wear where the rung is attached to the suspensory member; (5) The provision of means for preventing the slipping of the suspensory member along the rung, either from off the rung or towards the. center thereof; .(6) The provision of simple and strongmeans for holding the ladder from the wall of the building or vessel from which the ladder is hung; (7) The provision of means by which it is practicable to use larger and stronger rungs with flexible suspensory members; and (8) The provision of means whereby a chain-link (or thelike) of the suspensory member is safeguarded against distortion or rupture due to the drawing thereagainst of a ring or anchor. Other features of this invention will be pointed out in the descrip-' tion that follows hereinafter.

in the drawings illustrating the principle of this invention and thebest mode now known to me of applyin'gthat principle, Figure 1 illustrates the ladder set up for use;

Specification of Letters Patent. Pate t d F b 21 1922 Application filed July 5,

1918. Serial No. 243,328.

section on the line A'A of Figmodified form of the wooden rung-end; Figure 6 is a section on the line CC of Figure 5; Figure '7 is a detail of one of the armorrings used on the rung-end shown in Figures 6 and T; Figure 8 shows a grooved band or ferrule substituted for the i rung-end armor; Figure, 9 illustrates the manner of mounting a distance-preserving disk on the rung-end; Figures 10 and 11 show a modified form of attachment of the chain totlie rung-end; Figure 12 illustrates the attachment of the chain to a slotted, armored rungend; Figure 13 is a section on the line D-D of Figure 12; Figure 14; illustrates a modified form of rung reinforcement; and

pair of rings as Figure 15 is a detail showing a thimble reini forcement of a link.

As is shown in Figure l, the suspensory members that form the sides of the ladder X and support the rungs a, Z), at the ends thereof are illustrated as chains 0 through the upper end links (Z of which pass rings 6 that are fastened to the beam or sill f by means of the lashings or cords of course, any other suitable means of securing the ladder X to the building, vessel or other structure may be used without-departing from the spirit of this invention. here it is feasible to do so, the lower end-links kmay be attached to a holdfast z" lying in or on the floor. or ground or floating on the water, through the medium of the turn A buckles j and rings 7c, adjusting the turn-buckles 7' the tautness of the suspensory side-suppoi ts 0 may be advanced, as may be desired.

As illustrated in Figure 1, I provide wooden rungs a. ood being-lighter than metal, the wooden rungs a may be made-of comparatively larger diameter than that of the metal rungs for the same purpose, whereby the user of the ladder is enabled to grasp the wooden rung a more firmly and the latter will afford him aiirmer or more, secure foothold, moreover. Howevenit has been found that duliculty attends the atfor example; and

tachment of wooden rungs to chain sidesupports or suspensory members of alike nature and that a wooden rung-is likely to split or crack, as wellas to wear at 01' near the point of application of the load stress, by reason of the constant rubbing of the chain-links thatadjoin the end of the rung a. To avoid such splitting, cracking and wearing away of the latter and to provide a simple, durable and eiiicient means of attaching the ends of the wooden rung a to the chain side-supports c, the following ar n'of the chain 0; this link a may be larger than the intermediate linkso and it may be larger in its original size or it may be enlarged (as by opening or spreading) from the normal size of the chain-links 0. Next there is slippped over the reduced end a anouter wear-ring m, which may be substantially the same in size and character as the ring m that serves as a wear-ring or abutment for the link a. A washer p is then put over the end face of the rung a, and is held in place by means-of a screw Q that passes lengthwise of the rung a there into and, what is an important feature, to a point inward of the rung that lies beyond the point of application of the load stress a substantial distance. As is clearly shown in Figures 5 to 7, both inclusive, the reduced end a of the rung a. may be formed with flattened sides a* (Figure 6), whereby the rung-end a is given such a shape that it will readily fit into a link 0 of the normal size and shape, 2'. e., the size and shapeof the links that make up the main part of the chain c. This dispenses with the necessity of having larger-sized links a, 0., instead of shaping the link to fit the rung-end, the

rungend is shaped to fit the normal size of link 0. The wear-ring 1" and outer wearring 0 (Figure 7) likewise have flattened sides r", so that they fit snugly the reduced end a of the rung ct. As in the construction illustrated in Figures 4 and 3, the wearring 1" and the chain-link 0 are held against outward shifting from off the rung-end a by means of the washer p and the screw The rings on, m, may be replaced by a single element in the form of a collar or ferrule; thus" as is illustrated in Figure 9, there is slipped on the rung-end a a collar or band s formed with a circumferential groove 8 within which is mounted the link 8 of the chain 0. The collar is held against end-wise displacement from off the rungend a by means of a washer 79 and screw 9.

Where it is desired to provide the rung a with disks by means of which the ladder X is held away from the side of the building,

vessel or other structure, the disk 2? may first be slipped upon the rung-end a, until the disk rests against the shoulder a (Figure 9), whereupon the collar 8 is passed over the rung-end a and the whole held in place by the washer p and the screw g. Of course, the disk 3 may be used to serve the purpose of the wear-rings m, 1*, (Figures 3 and 7) and in place thereof in the structures illustrated the figures just named. Instead of using the washer p and the screw 9 as means for retaining the rings m, m, (or the rings 1-, 1"',) and the link a (or the link 0) in place, there may be used a U-shaped retaining clip a (Figures lland 10) the bottom of which rests against the end-face of the rung-end a and the arms a of which embrace the rung a and are securedthereto 'byflmeans of the rivet'it.

7 As is clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13, the rung-end e of the rung '0 differs from the rung-end a of the rung a in that the rung-end o is split, i. e., formed with the slot 12 which is adapted to receive the chain-link '0. 'As in the construction illustrated Figures 11 and 10, there are provided an inner wear-ring m and an outer wear-ring m"between which lies the the end of the run w, there is held the link 7 o of the chain c. n the opposite end of the bolt 10, there is'screwed a nut 00, between which andthe other end of the rung w, there lies a link 0 of the other rung-supporting member 0. It is to be observed that the rings m, m, the collars s and the rings 9, r, serve to strengthen, in a material degree, the rungends upon which they are mounted and to prevent splitting and cracking of the same. Not only do they perform this function directly by reinforcement of the rung-ends (which, it is to be borne in mind, are reduced) but they operate or act indirectly by preserving the rung-ends from wear due to the constant rubbing of the chain-links connected to the ones mounted on the rung-ends. It .is to be observed that the main or bodyportion of the'rung a (which is of Wood) may be made of a comparatively large diameter without unduly increasing the weight of the ladder X as a whole, whereby the user is afforded a safe handhold (safe because it may be grasped more firmly than can a rung of small diameter), as well as a secure foothold. In the construction shown in Figure 14 the wooden rung w is strengthened against breaking under a load by the passage therethrough of the bolt w". In Fig. 1 there are shown means to prevent strippingof the chains from the upperanchorage means. should :bi-eaklooseat one side while the ladder is in use, -and-. thus im pose asudden shock and, severestrainupon the other, chain. These ,means comprise a disk 3 mounted at each endofthemangbb and held thereon byainut l; whichns' se:

cured in place as by upsettingrtheend: 2: of

the rungagainst said nut. Alsoin this struce ture thelin s o which'engageithe ends-of: rung b are fitted in grooves.G-providedxom clips 5 that fitover the rung ends, to thus provide localizing seats-for said links .0.

To strengthen the.links d .throughwlnch pass the rings 6, these. links d are fitted: with interior thimbles 7 which reinforce the links (Z- and preventprupture or distortionof the same (Figure 15). g Since the ladderniust be adapted towbe stored in small compass, the'rung supporting members must be flexible, which requirement is :met in the ladder X by the chainsc. Since the ladder mustbe adapted for use in; emergencies the exigencies or circumstances 1 ofwhich may demand that thealadder behandled by a single person (e. g.,.a hotel guest) the ladder-must be light; but,: obviously, it must be reliableand safe in operation and use; Therefore, theladdermust combine with lightness, great strength.

Moreover, the: ladder must be such: as a will afford a safe means of descentzzto persons of all ages and both sexes, andparticularlyto persons unused to descendingladders; Fur thermore, it is to be borne in mindthat the descent being made under emergencyconditions, will doubtless and inevitably-be at tended :by excitement andhaste- Strength is obtained (1) by using chains 0 of steel having high tensile resistance ;-,;(2): by reinforcingthe upperend-links (Z by means of thimbles 7; (3,) by reinforcing the rungends a by means of the metal bands m, m, 1 r, s, which not only add strength to the rung-ends but prevent weakeningith'e same: by serving as armor therefor to avoid wear due to rubbing of the chaindinks 10 that are c .just belowthe rung-endsi-a'; (4): by adding within the rung-ends a the screws Q t11"at=.are-- so long as to extend lengthwise of the rung: to a point beyond the point of application: of the, load stress; As has been explained," for the screws 1 may be substitutedza bolt-1w that passes entirely through the; rung. (see:

the rung w, Figure 14).. The requisite strength combined with lightness is attained by the use of chains 0, the links 0 of which between the links a that receive thewrnng ends a are more-closed than the latter links a and by the use of rungsa of wood or its well-known equivalents. To the frightened and inexperienced user of the ladderunder the trying circumstances of anemergency, there are furnished a sure handhold and a foot-hold by reason of the fact that the dithe rung ends as would tend to-weaken the ameter of the wooden -runga may" bemade of large dimension without occasioning -an-J:

excessive increase inthe weight of "theladformedstructureat 'n in-order that-these- 75- particular links mayhave a sufficiently large opening-to permit-the reception there inof the diminished rungend, without necessitating such a considerable, rediictionmf latter: The opened or spread link is not, perhaps, so; resisting as isits normah form 0; but collapse orapproach-'off its sides 01%: is prevented by *tliein'sertionoff v the armoredand reinforced rung-end 'a'v. I consider this change of 5 form of the link to be an important' feature of this inventioni 1 'Variations Within the spirit and- 'scopeof my invention as claimed are equally com,- prehended' herein.

I claim: 7

1. A -flexible -1adder comprising a pair. of chains, non-metallic. rungs: -of light Weight material having hand-hold portions of relatively large-diameter and reduced" ends to engage in oppositelinks ofsaidchains, and means for effecting rigid joints between-lsaid rung ends 'and' 'their engaging linltsp 2. A flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, wooden rungs having hand hold"por 10o ti ons of relatively large" diameter and" [reduced ends to engage inopposite liiiks of said chains, and "means for, effecting rigid joints between said rung ends and their" engaging links? f I 3. A flexible ladder comprising "a:pair ofchains and non-metallic" rungs of light Weight 1 material l1aving1handhold "portions" of relatively large -diamete'rand reduced; ends to: engage -non-rotatably-{ in' opposite links of said chains.

4. A flexibleladder comprising apairof chains and non-metallic 'rungs-* of "light weight material i having hand-hold 7 portions of relatively large diameter and (reduced, non-circular ends to engage non-rotatably'in' I opposite links of said'chains- 5. A flexible ladder composed :of parallel chains, non-metallic rungs of light weight I material having hand-hold portions of rela- 'duced ends to'engage in opposite links of said chains, and means for effecting rigid 130 .1 -1. tively large'diameter and reduced-ends to gaginglin'ks. .i

. 7., i A, flex ble lander comprising a pair of continuous chams and non-metallic rungs of joints between said'rung ends and their en-.

light weight material having handhold;por-

tions of relatively large. diameter and re-- duced ends t non-rotatably engage-in .op-Q

posite links of said chains.

.8, A flexible ladder comprising a :1pair of ;conti nu,ous chains, and non-metallicrungs' oflight weight material having hand-hold portions of relatively large diameter. and

reduced, non-circular ends to. engage nonrotatably in oppositelinks-ot said chains.

9. A flexible ladder comprising a. pair of chains whose links are relatively narrow to be capable of sliding easily over obstructions, wooden, rungs having hand-hold porr portions of relatively large diameter and re said chains, and means .for eflecting rigid gaging links.

joints between saidrung endsand theiren narrowptobe capable ottlsliding easily over obstructions, Wooden rungs having handhold portions of relatively large diameter and reduced ends toengage-in opposite links. of said chains, and means for effecting rigid] joints between said rung ends and their en-i gaginglinks. 5

l2. A flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, non-metallic rungs oflight weight material having hand hold portions of relatively large diameter andredueed ends to engagein opposite links of said ehains, means for effecting rigid joints between said rung ends and their engaging links, and meansfor preventing wear upon the rung ends by the rubbing action of links adjacent therung engaging links.

i l 13. A flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, non-metallic rungs of lightweight material havinghandd old portions. of relatively large diameter, and reduced, ends to engage in opposite linksuo tgsaid chains,

means for effecting rigid joints between said rung ends and :theirengaging I links, and rings upon said rung ends to preventwear of the latter through the rubbingiaction of links adjacent the rung engaging links.

14:. A flexible ladder comprising a pairof chains, non-metallic rungsof light weight tively large diameter andreduced ends to en;

- gaging links; duced ends to engage m opposite links of of July, 1918, in the material havingLhand-hold portions of relatively large diameter and reduced ends-to engage in opposite links of said chains, said engaging links being expanded for the reception of said rung ends, and means for eiE- fecting rigid joints between said rung ends and their engaging links. f i

15. .A flexible ladder comprising a pair of] chains, Whose links are relatively narrow," non-metallic rungs of light weight material having hand-hold portions of relatively large diameter and reduced ends to engage l in oppositelinks of said chains, means for effecting rigid joints between said rung ends andtheir engaging links. and. metallic reinforcing means axially penetrating said reduced ends and extended into the diametrally' large portions of said rungs. 16. A'flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, non-metallic rungs of lightweight material having hand-hold port-ions of relagage in oppositelinksof said chains, means for effecting rlgld oints between said rung ends and tlieirfengaging links, and end securing means to maintain the connective re lation bet-Weensaid rung ends and their en 17. A'flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, non-metallic rungs of light weight material having hand-hold portions of relatively large diameter and reduced ends to engage in opposite links of said chains, means for effecting rigid joints between'said rung ends and their engaging links, rings .upon said rung ends fiankingsaid engaging l1nks, washers at the rung ends to prevent;

endwisedisplacement of said ringsand en-' gaging links, and reinforcing screws axially penetrating said rung ends and extending 1 into the diametrally largerung portions, said screws also servlng to secure said washers to I the rung ends.

18. A flexible ladder comprising a pair of chains, non-metallic rungs of light weight material having hand-hold portions of rela tively large diameter" and reduced ends to engage in opposite links of said chains, means for efiectmg rlgid oints between said rung ends and. their engaging links, ladder distanclng disks carried by some of said rungs,

and securing means to prevent endwise displacementof said engaging links and distancing disks from said rung ends.

Signed at the borough of Manhattan, city, county and State of New York, this first day presence of the two 1111- dersigned Witnesses.

, FREDERICJ.BRYANT. V

\Vitnessesr i r i Noiin L. DAHLAUnnn,

LAWRENCE V. Knneax, r. 

